Who was the first king of England and how did he come to power?

Ælfred through war...

The first king of England was a man named Alfred the Great. He came to power in 871 AD, after defeating the Viking invaders in a series of bloody battles.

Prior to becoming king, Alfred was a humble farmer who had no experience in warfare. However, he quickly proved himself to be a gifted military commander, leading his troops to victory against all odds. In addition to his bravery on the battlefield, Alfred was also a wise and just ruler. He introduced many reforms that improved the lives of his subjects, and he helped to unify the country under one strong central government. Alfred's legacy continues to this day, and he is remembered as one of England's greatest kings.